President Kufuor Back From Libya

President John Agyekum Kufuor yesterday returned home from a four-day state visit to Libya at the invitation of the country's head of state Colonel Muamar Al-Qathafi. The Foreign Minister, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, and other ministers of state accompanied the president on his trip.

A communiqué, issued at the end of the visit and read by Nana Akufo Addo, at the Kotoka International Airport on arrival, said the two leaders held discussion on bilateral, continental and international matters of mutual interest to Ghana and Libya. He said they reaffirm to depend the excellent relationship existing between the two countries.

Nana Akufo Addo said the two leaders promised to strengthen the economic relation between the two countries, particular in the area of agricultural development agro processing and marketing. He said to this end, the two leaders agreed to reactivate the operation of the Ghana/Libya Permanent Joint Cooperation and set another meeting for the last week of July in Accra.

President Kufuor expressed his appreciation for the effort of Col Al-Qathafi, which aimed at achieving the unity of the African people that resulted in the launching of the African Union and his continuous endeavours to consolidate peace, security and stability on the continent.

The Foreign Minister said Col Al-Qathafi expressed his appreciation for the efforts by President Kufuor to accomplish the hopes and aspirations of Ghanaians for rapid economic development, social progress and national prosperity in Ghana and the West African sub-region.

The Libyan leader was particularly appreciative of the effort of President Kufuor in bringing an end to the Ivorian crisis and efforts at restoring peace to Liberia. The two leaders stressed the importance of supporting and strengthening the launch of the African Union and its institutions and expressed their determination to work together to put an end to conflicts and wars on the continent.

President Kufuor extended an invitation to Col Al-Qathafi to pay an official visit to Ghana, which was accepted but the date would be fixed through normal diplomatic channels.

The President was met on arrival by Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, Chief of Defence Staff Lt. Gen. Seth Obong, the Libyan Ambassador and some Ministers of State.